Adjustable label knife

ABSTRACT

An adjustable roller type knife for use as a label cutter in article addressing machines. The knife comprises axially aligned relatively rotatable roller discs, each with a radially extended arcuate segment which cooperates, on rotation of the knife, with an adjoining anvil roller to form a nip for drawing uncut label material therethrough, the length of label material being a function of the composite arcuate length presented by the segments. A knife blade is carried by one disc to cut the label material, and releasable locating means are provided to enable the discs to be turned through controlled arcs relative to one another to adjust the knife for different length labels.

atent Davis June 13, 1972 [54] ADJUSTABLE LABEL KNIF E Assistant Examiner-David R. Melton a Attorney-James J. Ralabate, Norman E. Schrader and [72] Inventor. Robert A. Davls, Mundeleln, Ill. Frederick E. McMunen [73] Assignee: Xerox Corporation, Stamford, Conn. 22 Filed: Nov. 23, 1970 [57] ABSIMCT Appl. No.: 91,775

Primary Examiner-Andrew R. .luhasz An adjustable roller type knife for use as a label cutter in article addressing machines. The knife comprises axially aligned relatively rotatable roller discs, each with a radially extended arcuate segment which cooperates, on rotation of the knife, with an adjoining anvil roller to form a nip for drawing uncut label material therethrough. the length of label material being a function of the composite arcuate length presented by the segments. A knife blade is carried by one disc to cut the label material, and releasable locating means are provided to enable the discs to be turned through controlled arcs relative to one another to adjust the knife for different length labels.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUH 13 I972 SHEET 10F 3 #vvewrm ROBERT A. DAVIS yam A T TORNE Y ADJUSTABLE LABEL KNIFE This invention relates to article addressing machines, and more particularly, to an improved rotary knife for article addressing machines.

Present day addressing machines provide a rather elaborate and sometimes complex arrangement for separating uncut labels supplied to the machine into individual labels prior to transfer of the label itself, or the information thereon, to the articles being addressed. For example, some addressing machines utilize a pair of knives to of uncut labels supplied thereto, one knife serving to first cut the web into strips several labels in length, the other to cut the strip into individual labels.

However, it is not unusual for the type and size of label handled by the machine to change from time to time requiring readjustment and resetting of the machine to account for any changes in label dimensions. At these times, it would be extremely beneficial if those components of the machine which require adjustment or resetting were of the since any time required to adjust and normally entails idling the machine.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a new and improved article addressing machine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an article addressing machine incorporating a quick-change label knife. 7

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved operating mechanism for an adjustable rotary knife enabling the knife to be accurately adjusted to cut a different size label from a remote point and without requiring disassembly of the knife.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable rotary knife for addressing machines having positive locating means to assure quick and accurate adjustment of the knife from one label size to another.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a quickchange knife for labeling machines to permit the labeling machines to accommodate a change from one label size to another with a minimum of delay and lost time.

This invention relates to an adjustable rotary knife for an article addressing machine cooperable with the rotatable anvil member of the machine to cut selected lengths of label materiquick change type set these components "al into discrete labels for use by the machine in addressing articles, comprising the combination, a first member rotatable about an axis; at least one other member disposed adjacent the first member and ordinarily rotatable about the same axis in unison with the first member, each of the members presenting radially projecting curved edge segments of equal radius cooperable on rotation thereof with the anvil member to form a feeding nip for advancing the label material therebetween; knife means on one of the members adapted in combination with the anvil member to cut the label material; means for unlocking the members to enable the members to be rotated relative to one another about the axis and vary the total circumferential length of the feeding nip generated by the member edge segments and the anvil member whereby to vary the length of label material cut by the knife means, means enabling the members to be rotated relative to one another from a remote vantage point; and positive locator means for limiting relative rotation between the members to preset increments in correspondence with predetermined label lengths.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the ensuing description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view partially in section showing an article addressing machine incorporating the adjustable rotary knife of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the addressing machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded view of the adjustable rotary knife of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the adjustable rotary knife of the present invention taken along lines 44 of FIG. 1.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown an exemplary article addressing or labeling machine 5 cut off labels from the webincorporating the adjustable rotary knife 60 of the' pre'sent invention. Labeling machine 5 includes an article conveyor 12 for bringing articles 13 to be labeled into operative relationship with the machine labelinghead 14, head 14 serving to transfer either the label itself or the information therefrom to the article in the manner known to those skilled in the art. It is understood that conveyor 12 and labeling head14 are suitably supported on the machine base 1 1.

In the arrangementshown, article conveyor l2 comprises one or more endless .belts stretched across drive and idler rollers 21, 22 respectively. Roller 21 is driven from motor 24 through a suitable power transfer mechanism. To facilitate the label transfer operation, a support roller 25 is provided underneath belt 20 and opposite thetransfer wheel 26 of labeling head 14. Supportv roller. 25 is driven by motor 24 in the direction shown by the solid line arrow of FIG. 1.

Transfer wheel 26 of labeling head 14 carries an arcuate shoe 28 on the periphery thereof, the surface of show 28 being adapted to carry the individual labels from the discharge point of rotaryknife60 into transfer contact with the article passing therebelow on conveyor 12. Suitable vacuum holddown ports open to the surface of shoe 28 to enable the individual labels to be temporarily held on the surface of transfer shoe 28'pending transfer of the label itself or the information therefrom to the articles 13. Transfer wheel 26 is mounted on shaft 29 which is driven by motor 24 through suitable drive means (not shown) in the direction shown by the solid line arrow of FIG. 1.

As will, be understood bythose skilled in the art, labels 17 may be physically attached to the articles 13 through the use of a suitable adhesive. Normally, the adhesive is applied to the underside of the label just prior to the time the label is brought into physical contact with the articles on transport 12 by transfer wheel 26. Altemately, the label information only may be transferred through a combination of heat and pressure generated between shoe 28 of transfer wheel 26 and pressure roller 25. In this application, the label information isprinted on a special label papersuch as a carbon type paper and-suitable heating means are provided in-shoe 28 for this purpose. In this latter application, the used labels may be dispensed with or collected for possible reuse in an adhesive type application.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2 of the drawings, labels 17 are normally supplied inan endless sheet or web 30 with the labels 17 arranged in multiple rows 31 The margins 32 of sheet 30 are perforated at requisite intervals therealong to enable sheet 30 to be advanced by sprocketedfeeder wheels 34 as will appear. The margins 32 are later removed by roller type slitters 39 before sheet 30 reaches knife 40.

The labeling head 14 includes a lower base 36 forsupporting the label sheet 30 as sheet 30 advances toward knife of head 14, base 36 extending along one side of head '14 in a direction substantially transverse to the plane of rotation of transfer wheel 26. Since labeling head 14 is inclined downwardly in the direction of label transfer wheel 26, base 36 has a similar tilt.

Knife 40 of labeling head 14 includes a movable upper blade 41 cooperating with lowerknife edge42,edge 42 consisting of the inside terminal edge portion of base 36. Knife blade 41 is slidably supported for reciprocating movement in journals 44. Eccentric type links 45 reciprocated knife blade 41 from driven shaft 46. Driven shaft 46 and sheet feeder wheels 34 are intermittently driven in sequence with one another and in timed relationship with transfer wheel 26 such that feeder wheels 34 first advance sheet 30 forward one label width following which knife blade 41 is driven downwardly to cut off a strip-like portion 52 of sheet 30 thereunder.

A chute 50 extends transversely below the discharge of knife 40 to receive label strips 52 following cutoff by knife 40, the downwardly inclined chute 50 serving as both a support and guide for label strips 52. Pinch roller pair 55 is provided proximate the lower end of chute 50 to advance the strips 52 toward transfer wheel 26 and into the nip formed by rotary knife and roller anvil 61. Pinch roller pair 55 is intermittently driven as will appear.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, rotary knife 60 comprises an interior disc-like member 64 flanked by a pair of relatively thin disc-like exterior members 65 on opposite sides thereof. The outer circumference of interior members 64 has a pair of radially projecting arcuate segments 68 along each edge thereof, segments 68 being coextensive and with a length slightly greater than the minimum label size to be handled. The radius of the arcuate segments 68 of member 64 is chosen so that the surface of segments 68 cooperate with the surface of anvil roller 61 to form a feeding nip for advancing label strips 52 forward from pinch roller pair 55 toward transfer wheel 26. A transversely extending slotlike recess 69 is provided in the outer circumference of member 64 proximate one end of arcuate segments 68. Recess 69, which accommodates knife 70, is spaced from the farthest end of segments 68 by a distance substantially equal to the minimum length label to be handled. The depth of recess 69 is such that the tip 70' of blade 70 projects slightly above segments 68 for operative contact with the periphery of anvil roller 61 disposed proximate thereto. Knife blade 70 may be held in recess 69 by set screw 71. I

Interior member 64 is mounted on and rotatable with cylindrical bushing 73. Bushing 73 is rotatably mounted on driven shaft 74. Driven shaft 74 is itself rotatably joumaled in the labeling head frame 11' by suitable bearing means. As will appear, bushing 73 normally rotates in unison with driven shaft 74, there being means to permit relative turning movement therebetween. In this way, the relative arcuate positions between members 64, 65 and hence the length of the label strip 52 cut by knife 60 may be varied. Driven shaft 74 is slotted at 75 to provide a key way for rotatably locking exterior members 65 thereto as will appear. An aperture 76 is provided in bushing 73 to accommodate the locking key 80 for member 65'.

The outer circumference of exterior members 65 each include a radially projecting arcuate segment 77 substantially coextensive with one another, the radius of segments 77 being substantially equal to the radius of the arcuate segments 68 of interior member 64. One of the members 65' has a bore 78 therethrough, the internal diameter of which is slightly larger than the outer diameter of bushing 73 to permit the member 65 to be slidably fitted thereover. The bore 78 in member 65 is slotted at 79 to accommodate lock key 80, key 80 fitting through aperture 76 in bushing 73 into the key way 75 in driven shaft 74 to rotate member 65 in unison with shaft 74.

The other exterior member 65" is provided with a bore 81 therethrough, bore 81 having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of shaft 74 to permit member 65" to be slidable fitted thereover. Bore 81 of member 65" is slotted at 82 to accommodate a lock key 83, key 83 fitting into key way 75 of drive shaft 74 to rotatably couple member 65" with shaft 74.

Interior member 64 has a generally arcuate segment shaped recess 84 in one side thereof opposite member 65 The arcuate length of recess 84 is preferably made equal to the maximum and minimum size labels to be handled by labeling head 14. Exterior member 65" carries a drive lug 85 projecting from the side opposite interior member 64 adapted to fit within recess 84 and drivingly couple interior member 64 with driven shaft 74. As will be understood, the relative turning movement between interior member 64, and exterior members 65 keyed to driven shaft 74, is limited to an are equal to the arcuate extent of recess 84. To accommodate intermediate label lengths, drive lug 85 carries a detent ball 86 cooperable with one or more semi-circular holes 87 in the side of interior member 64 to releasably retain the members 64, 65 in a selected intermediate position.

To enable members 64, 65 to be adjusted remotely, a knurled collar 88 is fixed to one end of bushing 73. The adjoining end of driven shaft 74 is threaded at 89 to receive internally threaded knurled collar 90. As will be understood, tightening of collar 90 on shaft 74 draws members 64, 65 together to hold drive lug 85 fixed in selected position in recess 84 and interior and exterior members 64, 65 drivingly coupled together. Unthreading of collar 90 enables members 64, 65 to be separated and permits interior member 64 to be rotated by means of collar 88 relative to exterior members 65 to thereby change the efiective arcuate length generated by segments 68, 77. The collars 88, 90 serve to enable the length of label cut by rotary knife 60 to be adjusted from a remote vantage point without requiring disassembly of knife 60 and/or of portions of labeling head 14.

In use, the effective circumferential length of rotary knife 60, as determined by the relative rotational position of interior member 64 relative rotational position of interior member 64 relative to exterior members 65, determines the length of label strip 52 advanced by knife and anvil roller 60, 61 on rotation thereof (in the clockwise direction shown by the solid line arrow in FIG. 1). And, knife 70, which is adjacent the trailing end of segment 68 of member 64, serves to cut off the length of label strip 52 advanced.

Where a different size label is used, as for example, due to an increase or decrease in the number of label rows 31, collar 90 is unscrewed to release the locking pressure between members 64, 65. This enables the interior member 64 to be turned, relative to exterior members 65, collar 88 being provided for this purpose. Turning the interior member 64 increases or decreases the effective length provided by arcuate segments 68, 77 respectively to set rotary knife 60 for the new label length to be cut. Conveniently, the arcuate recess 84 is dimensioned to provide the maximum and minimum label lengths normally encountered, engagement between lug of member 65" and the sides of recess 84 providing a positive locating stop. For intermediate label sizes, the detent 86 provides the requisite position indicator.

Following adjustment, collar is retightened to lock members 64, 65 together for joint rotation and addressing machine 5 restarted.

It is understood that while interior and exterior members 64, 65 have been illustrated as comprising disc-shaped elements, other configurations may be contemplated so long as the arcuate segments 64, 78 thereof are of proper radius to permit effective cooperation with anvil roller 61. Where desired, members 60, 61 may be designed to fit within one another in which case only a pair of adjustably rotating members would be used rather than the single interior and paired exterior members shown.

While the invention has been described with reference to the structure disclosed, it is not confined to the details set forth; but is intended to cover such modifications, or changes as may come within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable rotary knife for an article addressing machine cooperable with the rotatable anvil member of the machine to cut selected lengths of label material into discrete labels for use by the machine in addressing articles, comprising, in combination,

a first member rotatable about an axis;

at least one other member disposed adjacent said first member and ordinarily rotatable about said axis in unison with said first member, each of said members presenting radially projecting curved edge segments of equal radius cooperable on rotation thereof with said anvil member to form a feeding nip for advancing the label material therebetween;

knife means on one of said members adapted in combination with said anvil member to cut the label material;

means for unlocking said members to enable said members to be rotated relative to one another about said axis and vary the total circumferential length of the feeding nip generated by said member edge segments and said anvil member whereby to vary the length of label material cut by said knife means;

means enabling said members to be rotated relative to one another from a remote vantage point; and

positive locator means for limiting relative rotation between said members to preset increments in correspondence with predetermined label lengths.

2. The adjustable rotary knife according to claim 1 in which at least two members arranged in close parallelism to one said knife includes a pair of members disposed on opposite another, each of said members having a curved edge segsides of said first member, the curved edge segments of each ment of enlarged diameter defining a feeding surface for of said members being substantially coextensive. the label material to be cut, the overall length of said 3. The adjustable rotary knife according to claim 2 includ- 5 feeding surface being a function of the total circuming clamping means for locking said members together for ferential length of said segments less the circumferential rotation in unison, said unlocking means being adapted to length by which said segments overlap; release said clamping means to enable said relative rotation a knife element pp e o On Of aid members adjacent between members. the trailing edge of said feeding surface for cutting said 4. The adjustable rotary knife according to claim 3 in which label maiel'ial, and said unlocking means in lud a remote w locator means to limit relative turning movement between 5. The adjustable rotary knife according to claim 1 in which Said members 80 35 t0 Provide p e te mined l el said locator means includes an abutment pair on one of said lengthsmembers corresponding substantially to the largest and smal- The "P y kmfe coming to claim 7 which 531d lest size labels, and a locator lug on theother of said members tor mean? mcludes engageable with one or the other of said abutments to limit alocaung lug one ofsalqmembemr relative rotation between said members to a circumferential f m h other of Said membel's f p to recFlve length corresponding to said largest and smallest size labels. sald F bFmQFIZed to P plieqetermmed 6. The adjustable rotary knife according to claim 5 in which movement of P lug m sald recess from mmmum label said locator means includes detent means for releasably holdlength to a maxlmum labs} lengfhi and ing said members in an intermediate label size position. releasaPle f 'f foblockfng f members f" f" A quick change rotary knife for use with article rotation in unison with said lug m ad usted position in said dressing machines to facilitate speedy changeover of said recess machine from one label size to another comprising: 

1. An adjustable rotary knife for an article addressing machine cooperable with the rotatable anvil member of the machine to cut selected lengths of label material into discrete labels for use by the machine in addressing articles, comprising, in combination, a first member rotatable about an axis; at least one other member disposed adjacent said first member and ordinarily rotatable about said axis in unison with said first member, each of said members presenting radially projecting curved edge segments of equal radius cooperable on rotation thereof with said anvil member to form a feeding nip for advancing the label material therebetween; knife means on one of said members adapted in combination with said anvil member to cut the label material; means for unlocking said members to enable said members to be rotated relative to one another about said axis and vary the total circumferential length of the feeding nip generated by said member edge segments and said anvil member whereby to vary the length of label material cut by said knife means; means enabling said members to be rotated relative to one another from a remote vantage point; and positive locator means for limiting relative rotation between said members to preset increments in correspondence with predetermined label lengths.
 2. The adjustable rotary knife according to claim 1 in which said knife includes a pair of members disposed on opposite sides of said first member, the curved edge segments of each of said members being substantially coextensive.
 3. The adjustable rotary knife according to claim 2 including clamping means for locking said members together for rotation in unison, said unlocking means being adapted to release said clamping means to enable said relative rotation between members.
 4. The adjustable rotary knife according to claim 3 in which said unlocking means includes a remote operator.
 5. The adjustable rotary knife according to claim 1 in which said locator means includes an abutment pair on one of said members corresponding substantially to the largest and smallest size labels, and a locator lug on the other of said members engageable with one or the other of said abutments to limit relative rotation between said members to a circumferential length corresponding to said largest and smallest size labels.
 6. The adjustable rotary knife according to claim 5 in which said locator means includes detent means for releasably holding said members in an intermediate label size position.
 7. A quick change rotary knife for use with article addressing machines to facilitate speedy changeover of said machine from one label size to another comprising: at least two members arranged in close parallelism to one another, each of said members having a curved edge segment of enlarged diameter defining a feeding surface for the label material to be cut, the overall length of said feeding surface being a function of the total circumferential length of said segments less the circumferential length by which said segments overlap; a knife element supported on one of said members adjacent the trailing edge of said feeding surface for cutting said label material, and locator means to limit relative turning movement between said members so as to provide predetermined label lengths.
 8. The rotary knife according to claim 7 in which said locator means includes a locating lug on one of said members, a recess in the other of said members adapted to receive said lug, said recess being sized to permit predetermined movement of said lug in said recess from a minimum label length to a maximum label length, and releasable means for locking said members together for rotation in unison with said lug in adjusted position in said recess. 